It is a wonderful time when we come together as a family. Why? Because, when we thus come together, we do so for a happy reason, with the same mind, with the same desire and also with a special prayer.
The feast of the Exaltation of the Cross was this reason; a reason which was amplified because one of our sisters, Sr. Maria Hilbis Miksan perpetually consecrated herself to Our Lord, an event that touches the heart of everyone, and makes present the Love of Loves, to whom the sisters want to devote all their lives. All the sisters of the Province were not able to be present as we had desired, but I’m sure that we were never more united, despite the distance and the difficulties being experienced by the various missions that make up our little family of the Province of Our Lady of Sorrows.
We prayed the First Vespers, Matins and Lauds in Bethlehem, with festivities in between, of course. In the company of friends, acquaintances, religious and parishioners, we raised our prayers to Heaven for the many graces received, while we asked for blessings for our sister, for the Institute and for the mission in the Middle East.
The solemn Mass was celebrated in the morning in the Basilica of the Nativity, presided by Fr. Gabriel Romanelli and concelebrated by several diocesan priests. The choir of the Latin Patriarchate Seminary of Jerusalem ennobled the liturgy and beautified the entire celebration. The solemn profession was followed by the prostration, the Litany of the Saints, the blessing of the insignia, the giving of the ring to this forever Bride of Christ, who was hailed by shouts of joy which echoed through the church as the sisters went to congratulate her.
After lunch and recreation (fogón) the entire community gathered for adoration; there was much to be thankful for, … and with adoration there begin another celebration: the feast of Our Lady of Sorrows, patroness of our province. They say that children imitate what their parents do … Oh what a great good fortune we have! We get to imitate our Mother, Our Lady of Sorrows.
The morning of Sunday, September 15, we spent together as a family. The celebration was presided by Fr. Pablo de Santo and the sermon was preached by Fr. Gabriel Romanelli, who told us that each of us should know and have a great devotion to the sorrows of Our Lady, who suffered and wept for us.
As a finishing touch to this beautiful feast, all of us sisters headed to the Basilica of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem. What better place to consecrate to Our Mother the life of our province in this new stage that we begin! Our Mother Provincial offered a bouquet of flowers to the statue of Our Lady of Sorrows situated on Calvary. There our prayers rose to heaven, giving thanks for all the benefits received and imploring for divine blessings, especially the gift of peace.
Mother María del Pilar Llerena Vargas
Missionary in Holy Land
